On 16 March 2026, Samsung Bioepis and its sister company, Epis NexLab, announced they have entered into a research collaboration and licence agreement with G2GBIO to develop long-acting semaglutide. G2GBIO specialises in the development of sustained-release formulations using a “long-acting microsphere platform”.
Under the agreement, Samsung Bioepis will obtain full licence rights to the novel long-acting semaglutide and will have an option to licence another undisclosed G2GBIO asset. Samsung Bioepis will also receive first negotiation rights for three yet-to-be-determined novel assets. Epis NexLab will be responsible for the co-development of the long-acting microsphere drug delivery platform using G2GBIO’s proprietary technology.
There has been growing interest in the semaglutide space as key Novo Nordisk patents are set to expire in multiple markets in 2026, including India, China and Canada. In January 2026, Sun Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences and Alkem Laboratories received approval in India to manufacture and sell generic versions of Novartis’ Wegovy® and Ozempic®. According to Zydus, it plans to launch its Semaglutide Injection (15mg/3ml) in India under the brand names Semaglyn™, Mashema™ and Alterme™ “upon semaglutide patent expiry” on 20 March 2026.